Humminbird’s Mega Live imaging sonar gives anglers an incredibly detailed view of what’s happening below the water’s surface. This advanced sonar technology provides a near-photographic view of fish, structure, and cover in real time with amazing clarity and definition.
How Does Mega Live Work?
Mega Live is a high frequency, dual beam sonar that utilizes both Down Imaging and DualBeam PLUS technologies. It operates on 455 kHz and 800 kHz frequencies to deliver ultra-clear views up to 150 feet deep and 150 feet to each side of the boat.
The 455 kHz frequency produces a very tight, focused beam that provides excellent target separation and helps distinguish individual fish from structure and cover. The 800 kHz frequency generates a wider beam that covers more total area and is ideal for seeing bait balls and schools of fish.
By combining both views, Mega Live gives anglers the best of both worlds – a highly detailed view of structure and fish targets plus a wider look at fish activity in the surrounding area.
Mega Live Display Views
There are several different display options when using Mega Live sonar:
- Down Imaging View – Shows a clear picture of structure, bottom contour, vegetation, and fish targets using the higher 455 kHz frequency.
- DualBeam PLUS View – Displays a wider sonar view using the 800 kHz frequency to see schools of bait and fish.
- DI-DB Combo View – Shows both Down Imaging and DualBeam PLUS views side-by-side on a split screen.
- Circular Flasher View – Provides a rotating, real-time flasher display of targets and structure below the boat.
Having all these specialized views gives anglers the power to really understand what’s under the boat in the clearest detail.
Down Imaging View
The Down Imaging view is similar to having an underwater camera pointed straight down. It provides a highly detailed picture of what’s directly beneath the transducer.
Individual rocks, stumps, brush piles, ledges, vegetation, and even individual fish can be clearly seen on Down Imaging. It’s like seeing the bottom in high definition.
The 455 kHz frequency renders baitfish as clear, distinct marks instead of blobby masses. This helps anglers distinguish predator fish hanging around structure waiting to ambush their prey.
Down Imaging has an ideal range of around 150 feet deep and wide, depending on water and environmental conditions. Deeper water requires lower frequencies for the sonar beam to reach bottom and return back to the transducer.
Sample Down Imaging View
Here’s an example of what Down Imaging displays on a Humminbird Mega Live screen:
As you can see, there is incredible detail and definition to the bottom, structure, and fish targets. Rocks, submerged logs, and even individual fish are clearly identifiable.
DualBeam PLUS View
DualBeam PLUS utilizes a wider 800 kHz sonar beam to see out to the sides of the boat. This is ideal for finding schools of bait and gamefish suspended in the water column.
Seeing bait balls is critical because predator fish like bass, trout, and walleye will almost always be nearby to ambush the baitfish.
DualBeam PLUS has a wider sonar coverage area – up to 150 feet side-to-side – when compared to the more focused Down Imaging view.
DualBeam PLUS also shows the bottom contour and structure, but with less target separation than Down Imaging. The tradeoff is you get to see much more total coverage area and fish activity.
Sample DualBeam PLUS View
This DualBeam PLUS screen shows some key fish attracting features:
- An underwater point extending out that will hold fish.
- Arcs marking the location of baitfish schools.
- Suspended fish targets above the structure and bait that are likely predatory gamefish.
DualBeam PLUS excels at helping anglers find fish activity over a large area so they can zero in to promising spots.
DI-DB Combo View
One of the most powerful aspects of Mega Live is the ability to see Down Imaging and DualBeam PLUS side-by-side on a split screen view.
This allows anglers to get the highly detailed Down Imaging perspective directly under the boat while also seeing fish activity and bait schools over a wider area with DualBeam PLUS.
Having both views together provides the full picture of fish, structure, and bottom contour around the boat. Anglers get the best capabilities of each transducer frequency in one display.
Sample DI-DB Combo View
As you can see in this sample screen, the DI-DB Combo view really gives anglers the complete story of what’s under and around the boat.
The Down Imaging side shows bottom hardness changes, small rocks and structure, while the DualBeam PLUS side displays arcs of baitfish and larger fish targets higher in the water column.
This view truly puts the whole area in perspective and enables making smarter fishing decisions.
Circular Flasher View
In additional to the viewing modes above, Mega Live also includes a real-time circular flasher display.
The flasher shows sonar information from all around the boat in a rotating, easy-to-interpret format. Everything within coverage range can be seen in one quick look.
As the sonar pulses out and returns, it continually updates and rotates this view clockwise, so anglers can see structure, bottom contour, and fish targets in all directions.
Sample Circular Flasher View
The flasher view condenses a lot of key data into an easy-to-decipher circular picture:
- The bottom contour and structure changes show as spikes and indentations on the outer ring.
- Fish targets and smaller structure show as marks between the center and outer rings.
- The center gives boat speed, temperature, and depth right on the screen.
Flasher views are excellent for vertical jigging and seeing fish reaction when they move in to investigate your lure. Everything happens right before your eyes.
Conclusion
Humminbird’s Mega Live imaging changes the game when it comes to understanding what’s below the waterline. The incredible visibility of this advanced sonar gives anglers a treasure trove of information to make smarter fishing decisions.
From the highly detailed Down Imaging perspective to the wide coverage of DualBeam PLUS, Mega Live provides the complete picture in real time. Anglers know exactly what’s down there before making a cast.
Seeing structure, bottom contour, baitfish, and gamefish suspended in open water lets you pinpoint the highest percentage areas to present your lure.
Mega Live brings together the best capabilities into multiple specialized views including Down Imaging, DualBeam PLUS, DI-DB Combo, and Circular Flasher displays.
Regardless of what you’re fishing for or the type of structure you’re targeting, Humminbird’s Mega Live sonar empowers anglers with the clearest underwater view possible.
| Mega Live View | Details | Key Benefits |
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| Down Imaging |
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| DualBeam PLUS |
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| DI-DB Combo |
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| Circular Flasher |
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Mega Live Accessories
To unlock Mega Live’s full potential, there are some key accessories to pair it with:
Transducer
A transducer is required to send and receive the sonar beams. There are several Mega Live specific transducers available:
- XNT 9 DI T – Dual spectrum transom mount transducer. Excellent for fiberglass hulls.
- XNT 9 DI I – Dual spectrum in-hull shoot-through transducer. Good for metal and fiberglass hulls.
- XNT 9 SI – Heavy duty stainless steel through-hull mount transducer.
Mounting Locations
Where you mount the transducer is key for optimal DI and DB coverage:
- For a fiberglass hull, mount to the transom as close to the centerline as possible.
- For an aluminum hull, mount off the transom corner to avoid interference.
- Place as low on the transom as possible for best sonar cone coverage.
Networking
Mega Live can be networked using Humminbird’s Ethernet networking cables to:
- Link multiple units on the boat
- Built into a Humminbird control head
- Connect to accessory products like Minn Kota trolling motors
Networking allows for full control and display of Mega Live on multiple screens.
Mega Live Buying Considerations
Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a Mega Live system:
- Type of fishing – Are you fishing primarily offshore, vertical jigging, or freshwater? Mega Live excels for all types but you may want certain display views optimized for your needs.
- Depth capability – Consider maximum depths you’ll be fishing to determine best transducer frequency and power.
- Hull type – Fiberglass and aluminum hulls have different transducer mounting considerations.
- Existing electronics – Networking allows integrating Mega Live into your current system.
- Display size – Larger displays like 10″ or 12″ provide ample room to see Mega Live’s detailed views.
With the right transducer, accessories, and display, Mega Live delivers a serious underwater viewing advantage for anglers in any fishing application.
